by Lithiumpicnic
“I am in the studio more than is good for me.”
– Sascha Konietzko
In 1984 KMFDM (Kleine Mitleid Fur Das Mehrheit,” which means “No Pity For the Majority”) was founded in Germany by Sascha Konietzko. The band released three albums on European labels before begining their relationship with Wax Trax! Records in Chicago, Illinois. After touring with Ministry in 1989-1990, they were signed to Wax Trax! Records and quickly became a part of the industrial music scene in Chicago that included Ministry, Front 242 and My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult.
KMFDM has no fixed roster, Konietzko is the only member that has been directly involved with every KMFDM project. En Esch, Raymond Watts, and guitarist Günter Schulz are other key members in the band’s history.
Other notable musicians that have contributed to KMFDM projects include Bill Rieflin of Ministry/R.E.M., Nivek Ogre from Skinny Puppy and OhGr, John DeSalvo of Chemlab, Tim Skold of Marilyn Manson, F.M. Einheit of Einstürzende Neubauten, and Nina Hagen. Additionally, Chemlab, Die Warzau, Nine Inch Nails, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, and Giorgio Moroder have remixed music for KMFDM.
Read our exclusive interview with Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM on SuicideGirls.com.
By Fred Topel
“As you get older, you seem to just get more ideas.”
– Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz had to leave the Toronto International Film Festival early to return to one of his international teaching engagements. I saw his latest film, Dark Horse, on the second to last day of the festival, so was not able to get a Q&A in person. However, he was happy to make time to speak by phone. Across a 15 hour time difference, his distinct voice came on the line via a clear connection to Singapore where he was teaching a film class.
Given the subjects he often deals with, Solondz has a surprisingly warm and soft spoken voice. He had a sympathetic child molester character in Happiness, and in Palindromes a group of religious fundamentalist killing abortion doctors, and their families in the crossfire.
Dark Horse is a comparatively less volatile film, though still deals with characters consistent with Solondz’ ouvre. Abe (Jordan Gelber) lives with his parents, collects toys and slacks off at the office job his father (Christopher Walken) gave him. Abe meets Miranda (Selma Blair) at a wedding and proposes to her after a week of awkward non-dating. He is unshakable despite Miranda’s morose apathy, not just towards him but towards life.
It’s a comedy, by the way. Those awkward interactions between Miranda and Abe, Abe’s total confidence in his lifestyle and his contentious relationships with coworkers and families remind one of Solondz’ breakthrough film Welcome to the Dollhouse. Hopefully Dark Horse will secure distribution soon so everyone can experience what Toronto got to preview at the festival.
Read our exclusive interview with Todd Solondz on SuicideGirls.com.
by Morgan
Readers, I’m sorry it’s been quite a long time since my last set of reviews! I’ll give you plenty of reviews to make up for it this time. In this installment of Casual Game Recommendations, you’ll find a review of gaming company Kairosoft (courtesy of my fab BF), two animal tending games, a great matching game, and more!
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By Keith Daniels
“It turned into this because we’re both control freaks.”
– Doc Hammer
The Venture Bros. has since its 2003 debut been one of the best, and most under-appreciated, shows on television. Airing on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block, the show began as a parody of (and tribute to) Jonny Quest, and other ‘60s space age adventure shows. However, it quickly developed its own mythology and a massive cast of characters representing everyone from David Bowie to Spiderman. Only four seasons of the show have eked out so far, but hopefully the recent “Shallow Gravy” special represents progress toward bringing us more. SuicideGirls recently spoke with the series’ creators, pseudonymously known as Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, about the show, the special, and the possibility of season five.
Read our exclusive interview with Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer of The Venture Bros. on SuicideGirls.com.
by Steven-Elliot Altman (SG Member: Steven_Altman)
Our Fiction Friday serialized novel, The Killswitch Review, is a futuristic murder mystery with killer sociopolitical commentary (and some of the best sex scenes we’ve ever read!). Written by bestselling sci-fi author Steven-Elliot Altman (with Diane DeKelb-Rittenhouse), it offers a terrifying postmodern vision in the tradition of Blade Runner and Brave New World…
By the year 2156, stem cell therapy has triumphed over aging and disease, extending the human lifespan indefinitely. But only for those who have achieved Conscientious Citizen Status. To combat overpopulation, the U.S. has sealed its borders, instituted compulsory contraception and a strict one child per couple policy for those who are permitted to breed, and made technology-assisted suicide readily available. But in a world where the old can remain vital forever, America’s youth have little hope of prosperity.
Jason Haggerty is an investigator for Black Buttons Inc, the government agency responsible for dispensing personal handheld Kevorkian devices, which afford the only legal form of suicide. An armed “Killswitch” monitors and records a citizen’s final moments — up to the point where they press a button and peacefully die. Post-press review agents — “button collectors” — are dispatched to review and judge these final recordings to rule out foul play.
When three teens stage an illegal public suicide, Haggerty suspects their deaths may have been murders. Now his race is on to uncover proof and prevent a nationwide epidemic of copycat suicides. Trouble is, for the first time in history, an entire generation might just decide they’re better off dead.
(Catch up with the previous installments of Killswitch – see links below – then continue reading after the jump…)
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This Sunday (October 2nd) SG Radio’s special in-studio guests will be We Are The Riot and Joe Letz (of Combichrist).
Listen to SG Radio live Sunday night from 10 PM til Midnight on Indie1031.com
Got questions? Then dial our studio hotline digits this Sunday between 10 PM and midnight PST: 877-900-1031
Busy on Sunday? Then find all our podcasts at http://suicidegirlsradio.blip.tv/ and listen at your leisure.
And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
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by Daniel Robert Epstein
“I’ve got my curse level.”
– Kool Keith
Kool Keith is legally insane. If this interview doesnt prove that to you, just go out and grab his latest album, The Return of Dr. Octagon. Dr. Octagon is a persona that Kool first used ten years ago and since then hes gotten his degree in crazy so it was time to kick it up a notch.
Read our exclusive interview with Kool Keith on SuicideGirls.com.
